Richard Glikes, former executive director of the HTSA buying group, has formed a new buying group named Azione Unlimited (AU) that will target mid-size custom retailers and integrators. Headquartered in West Chester, PA, the new organization will be fully operational by the beginning of 2012, Glikes said.
Richard Glikes
The plan calls for a maximum of 250 non-competing dealer members nationwide and 32 vendor members.
Glikes offered four goals for Azione Unlimited, which include providing “an ongoing dialog and platforms on ideas, interaction and execution excellence,” as well a creating “a cohesive national network of leading-edge entrepreneurs,” delivering “exceptional profits to members to ensure their long-term success,” and fostering “focused support for vendor members and dealer members.”
Anticipating questions about competing with HTSA, Glikes stated, “We are not in competition with HTSA. They have their niche and we have ours. We are looking for dealers who are not in a group or who find the programs, services, and marketing of their existing group lacking in substance. There are literally thousands of dealers looking for the right fit. AU is the byproduct of 35 years of experience. I managed retail electronics companies such as Bryn Mawr Stereo for over 20 years and HTSA for its first 15 years with creativity, vision, and integrity. Azione’s foundation is crafted to be unlike any existing organization.”
Already looking beyond 2012 Glikes said that Phase II of Azione’s development will feature a subset of the group with the goal of creating “an exit strategy in a unique business that is an adjunct to the dealer members current businesses.”
